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Thorn in the Flesh

I don’t like being weak. I don’t like asking for help. I’m a pretty independent guy. I can pretty much do it for myself and I have to ask you to help me, then it’s not worth doing.

I hate asking for help. I hate not being able to do it myself.

But, here’s the thing about faith. We can’t do it by ourselves. We can and aren’t able to save ourselves. We have to ask for help; we have to ask for God’s help.

Listen to what Paul talks about today in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9:

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Paul said to keep him from boasting, he had a thorn in the flesh given to him. No one knows what it was, but whatever it was, it made him weak. It humbled him. It made him turn to God and ask for it to be removed.

He asked God to take it away. And each time, God said no. Because God’s power is made perfect in Paul’s weakness.

Why? Why does Paul have this thorn? Why do we have to deal with similar things? Why must we go through this?

Because God’s grace is sufficient. God’s grace is all we need. And we have to turn to it for strength.

For comfort.

For life.

Today, especially, if you are like me, the “not ask for help, I can do it all myself” type person, stop. Turn to God. Find His grace. Mercy. Grace. Forgiveness.

We can’t do it alone. We aren’t good enough or strong enough. We need Him and His life.

Turn to God. Find His life. His mercy. His hope. His purpose.

Today, may we find our strength in His strength. And may we find our life in His life.

May our thorns in the flesh be used for what they were made for.

To turn us to Him.

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